Why Less is More

Finishing a record is just a series of decisions.

For example:

Does this kick have enough bass? Does it have too much bass?

Is this melody too complicated? Is it too simple? Is this the right sound?

Etc, etc…

The fewer decisions I have to make, the further I can push back decision fatigue.

Because that’s it…

Once I hit decision fatigue, the session is all downhill from there.

My goal is always to try and maximize as much productive session time in as short a time as possible.

Why?

Because I don’t have all day anymore to make music.

Between managing my Airbnb portfolio, making content, and finding time to socialize and hang out with friends and my wife (plus sleep and eat)…

There’s only so much time.

Crushing It with Constraints

Years ago, I used to spend 8-10 hours a day making music.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do that nowadays.

But I’m on a roll right now.

I finished 3 remixes last month and I’m on course to finish another 3 or 4 in May.

So what have I done to squeeze out as much productivity from each music session?

I’ve limited myself.

• My samples are limited

• My synths are limited

• My genre is limited

• My time is limited

As a result, I'm turning out tunes faster than ever.

It’s amazing, actually.

The limitations are making me more creative, NOT less.

Keep It Simple

I’m only making house music right now. Nothing else.

I’m focused on making tracks that are a little darker and harder and meant for the clubs.

And also tracks that are a little softer and more melodic and meant for pool parties and such.

Why?

Because those are the types of parties I intend to start playing again.

So immediately, when I open up Ableton to start creating, I already know what I am making.

My new session template already has everything I use loaded up and ready to go.

No staring at a blank screen. I get right to work.

If you are using a new synth or trying a different genre every couple of weeks…

You are going to get stuck more frequently because you have to make a new set of decisions every time.

But by choosing one genre, one sample pack, one synth, etc…

You can answer a lot of those initial questions once and keep building on top of those answers every time you start a new track.

That means less decision fatigue, which translates to more productivity in shorter bursts of time.

Aka…you make a lot more music!

And when you make a lot more music…

You improve as a producer quickly and develop a unique sound.

So go ahead and limit yourself. Put yourself in a box.

So no to everything that doesn’t fit the criteria.

Go hard within your limited toolset and genre and watch things progress much faster for your career.

Hope that helps!

We got a lot of goodies below, including my Jeremih remix in case you missed it last week.

Hit me up if you have any questions or if I can help in some way. I respond to every email.

Thanks!

Brenmar

Sound Bites 🔉 

• Search and download tv and movie clips by keyword: HERE

• Audio ear training for music producers: HERE

• Electronic music similarity search engine: HERE

Tools & Resources ⚒️ 

• Download the largest collection of sex sounds HERE (Yes, I will be making a track with some of these sounds soon because…why not??)

• As a creative, I watch this short video once a year, at least.

• 100 Tips For A Better Life: HERE

Jeremih - Pass Dat (Brenmar Remix)